Joy in Greece in the midst of Crisis: Constellation

I am happy to present a Guest Blog by Henry C. Matthews

As the economy of Greece collapses and the people suffer serious deprivation, counter cultures are taking action. Barter systems and volunteers offering essential services satisfy some practical needs, but creative young people are also attempting to fill a cultural void. One endeavor on a remote Cycladic island celebrated its third year from 17-28 June 2015.  Constellation of Amorgos, offered free entertainment every evening in a variety of inspiring milieus.

Here is the dynamic team of organizers

While donors have provided ferry tickets and accommodation for the performers, the artists, some of them internationally renowned, have donated their own time and talent.

The festival opened with traditional music in a quai-side café at the harbour of Aegiali, After processing to the “Skopelitis” a small inter-island ferry, the musicians played all the way to the port of Katapola at the other end of the island.

A party developed on board with dancing and libations of psimeni raki by the light of the setting sun. The festivities continued until 11:00PM that night at a cafeneion, when a bus transported participants back to Aegiali.

Other events included a dance performance by Anna Lianopoulou in an ancient cistern in the village of Potamos; a poetry reading by Elena Mpei and George Antzoulakos in a chapel at Katapola; acrobatics on the beach at Aegiali;  story telling by Sofia Papanikandrou about “the Myths of the Stars”  in a village south of Katapola and a performance of eighteenth century music on lutes and mandolins by “Plectrum Lab”.

They gave this peaceful concert at Drys, a beautiful spot in in a gorge below the mountain village of Langada where, for generations, the inhabitants fetched spring water. As one might expect, on a Greek island, the twelve days of performance ended with feasting, music and dancing from noon until late at night.

A highlight of the festival occurred beside a tiny church by a ruined Hellenistic tower at Richti, down a steep path from the road leading from Aegiali to Chora, the main town of the island. For spectators crowded onto steep steps above them, the internationally known “l’Anima String Quartet” played recent works by six contemporary Greek composers: Dimitris Sikias (String Quartet 2 / Fomalhaut – the mouth of the Southern Fish), Lina Tonia (Mnemonion), Fani Kosona (Views, 7 small pieces for string quartet), Apostolos Paraskevas (Aegean Fire),
Thodoros Antoniou (String quartet no4), and Panos Liaropoulos.

Panos Liaropoulos, introduced each piece to the audience in English. His contribution, entitled “Lament”, composed specially for this concert, showed that avant garde music could resonate, as well in this wild landscape as in the concert halls of Europe and the USA. This inspiring concert was dedicated to the memory of Iannis Xenakis, the famous composer and architect.

This festival is a fabulous example of the Greek spirit of creativity in the arts that dates back thousands of years. It survives today, in the midst of all of the stresses of Greece.

The website www.amorgosfestival.gr give more details and offers a chance to donate. So if your heart bleeds for Greece, a land of music, dance, art and wine, you can help future festivals to flourish.